Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The South Korean government through KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency) is providing at least 100 million US dollars for the building of the Karian Reservoir in Banten.

"The supply of water for the project from Serpong is still under study," South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Ho Young told a workshop on the project here on Thursday.

The commitment, Kim Ho said, was part of South Korea`s commitment to help the Indonesian government build water resources infrastructure especially for building the Karian Reservoir and water processing and supply from Serpong.

Kim Ho Young said the Karian Reservoir and the water supply in Tangerang can be enjoyed by at least four million people in Banten and Jakarta.

In the meantime, water resources director general of the public works ministry Moch Amron said that a tender for the construction of the Karian Reservoir will be held in August this year so that the project could be completed in 3 to 4 years.

"The contractors will have a chance to team up with Korean counterparts," he said.

He also said that more than 40 percent of the 2,270 hectares had been cleared and secured. And in 2011 the central government has even estimated that the land procurement will cost Rp46 billion.

The Karian Reservoir in Rangkas Bitung regency, Banten, will have a capacity of 310 million m3 and receiving 14.6 m3 of water per second.

Tangerang and Banten will need a water supply of 9.1 m3/second, and 5.5 m3/second for Serang, Cilegon and for irrigation in Ciujung.

In the meantime, an additional 6.6 m3/second would be needed if it is used for the supply of water to Greater Jakarta.

In the building of this reservoir, at least 11 villages (3,440 families) of the 2,802 building construction would have to be displaced. This reservoir had already been planned in the 1990s to reduce the dependence of Jakarta people on Citarum river. The reservoir will supply water for Tangerang, Bekasi, Serang and parts of Bogor and Cilegon for industrial purposes. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011